I know you were being sarcastic, but you're exactly right. It is very, very wrong to imply people might be prejudiced. You have to meet them, otherwise you're the one being prejudiced.
"Person", not people. And at this point, I'm unsure what that poster is trying to convey.
I think it would be better phrased as, "The NFL doesn't want it's players to do things that might turn off fans". Now certainly "opinions" and "personalities" could fall under that, depending upon what is being said. But they don't always fall under that. I think Favre had a personality and the NFL was fine with it because it didn't turn people away. Colin had an "opinion" and the NFL was fine with it, until fans became upset. Mess with the owners money and you won't be around long.
As far as I can tell:
If I started engaging in social activism in my company-wide Teams chat, there would be consequences. You get paid to work, not to be an activist. Unfortunately, some people respond with the "oh, so it's just shut up and dribble?" well, yes, it is. I've worked every job under the sun - from construction, in kitchens, service industry, landscaping, etc. If I showed up to work and started spouting sociopolitical things I'd be reprimanded and fired if I didn't stop. These guys are the luckiest people in the world - they become multi-millionaires from playing a game and can retire in their 30's.
It's just so tiring. There's a famous quote by Socrates, I believe, that goes something like "Show me the stories you tell your children and I'll show you your culture." - When you teach young people to see racism in everything, they will absolutely do it. I've played different sports at various levels and there are certainly people who try to inject race into it whenever possible.
If a person is more interested in fighting against allegations of prejudice than against actual prejudice I’ve got no time for them. If a person plays the ‘accusing someone (or in this case not even an actual individual) of prejudice means youre the prejudice one, Ive really got no time for them. Those are the ‘moderates’ Dr King spoke of, who claim to be for justice but only when it suits them. And trying to narrow a systemic issue such as racism, even racism in a sports league, down to individuals being racist in ways that can be proven in a court of law is a subtle way people try to discount the realities of the issue. Probably wasn’t much documented evidence of racism by the NFL in the 70s, but there also weren’t any black QBs. Folks arguing like you are would claim that I was being racist then for implying that there was a problem. Its a bad faith, disingenuous argument.
I’ll wade in and make one comment as there are some younger posters, who may not be aware of the history of it.
The point is that black qbs have been successful for 40 years. I didn’t argue that it was fair or easy for those first few who broke thru. Today? Not even a debate. There have been a ton of black QBs taken first overall in the 2000s including each of the last two years. Being upset that NFL teams didn’t like “this” qb because of his amazing personality and opinions is beneath anyone with a brain.
we'll agree to disagree. This nation has too much history, past and recent, for me to believe anything of the sort is beneath anyone. And in this case I don't even think it's the issue. I simply don't fault anyone for posing the question or wondering that.
Agreed, but sanders was no Manziel in college. Johnny had more passing yards than Sanders.
Just ask Tony DungyI’ll wade in and make one comment as there are some younger posters, who may not be aware of the history of it.
Im pushing 60, and back in day it was commonly accepted that Black college QBs lacked the intellectual ability to handle the intricacies of an NFL offense and were best suited to play WR/RB. There were still NFL personnel who wanted Lamar Jackson not as a QB, but at other positions. IIRC, there was concern regarding his Wunderlic Score.
This Wikipedia page provides a good summarization from various sources IMO, for anyone interested in the subject.
Racial issues faced by Black quarterbacks - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Absolutely
I go back aways. Think of Sandy Stephens. Drafted into the NFL and the AFL Neither one drafted him for QB. CFL gave him a chance to play QB.
There’s certainly been progress, but as the comments which surfaced from Gruden a few years ago showed, those sentiments are still held by some in positions of power in the NFL.
Always awesome to argue a position you don’t even believe in, because you are so invested in the broader narrative that it aligns with.
Yes I’m invested in equality and the destruction of racism and take issue with those offended at the suggestion of the existence of racism. What a dig by you lol. And I’ve been very clear what Ive been addressing and where I stood from the jump.
Nobody is offended at the suggestion that racism exists. Many are tired of the insertion of race into everything, and if in 2025 you are arguing with a straight face that black QBs are being held back by racism, I’d like you to paint a picture of what evidence you’d need to see to conclude that this particular brand of racism has been destroyed?
Racism is usually inserted by racists..
Some are trying to make it about race. But I think that is a pretty small group that truly believe that because race is not the reason Shadeur is in the spot he is.
Also Leftwich and McNair (and I know I'm missing some).
I'm in the my 70s and agree. Was Doug Williams the first notable black QB? I'm pretty sure he was the first black QB to be drafted in the first round and the first black QB to win a Super Bowl and that was in the late-1970s through the late-1980s. Great player.I’ll wade in and make one comment as there are some younger posters, who may not be aware of the history of it.
Im pushing 60, and back in day it was commonly accepted that Black college QBs lacked the intellectual ability to handle the intricacies of an NFL offense and were best suited to play WR/RB. There were still NFL personnel who wanted Lamar Jackson not as a QB, but at other positions. IIRC, there was concern regarding his Wunderlic Score.
This Wikipedia page provides a good summarization from various sources IMO, for anyone interested in the subject.
Racial issues faced by Black quarterbacks - Wikipedia
I had no idea he was a first rounder. Not being born when the 1978 draft occurred is no excuse
If you think someone bringing up issues of race will make people or society more racist, sounds like you believe folks are more susceptible to racist beliefs/actions than you’re letting on. And the idea that addressing issues of race is somehow harmful is, and has always been ridiculous as the only folks bothered are the people that are borderline anyway. I’ve dealt with racism with police, work, walking down the street, and more ways than you can count, both from individuals doing or saying blatantly racist things as well as subtle, slick racism. So for me, who has seen it personally as well as second hand from the lowest to the highest, I’m well aware that there are people in all walks of life in this country with racist ideologies. I’ve seen plenty of stories about football coaches doing and saying racist things and have known football coaches who have done and said racist things. So folks like you getting all offended at the idea that maybe, just maybe, there are folks in the NFL, a league with a documented history of racism with this exact position is hilarious to me. And if that bothers you, instead of taking issue with me, take issue with the folks who perpetuated the actual racism. But you don’t do that. You want to argue with me for some reason. You want to tell me that somehow discussing race is somehow harmful in a world in which I have been called the N word on multiple occasions as have my kids. So anyone who thinks that we’re somehow making the world worse by having this conversation, I’d say they can kick rocks and have a great day. And I said from the jump I think Sanders is a 5th round talent, but as a black man in America, race is always a possible factor and so the discussion is always worth having.
Ohhh the old ‘the black people are the real racists’ nonsense. People said the same thing in the 40s, 50s, 60s, etc.
Don't worry. I can probably recognize less than a dozen songs recorded after 2000.I had no idea he was a first rounder. Not being born when the 1978 draft occurred is no excuse
This! I will post this again.. Lucky for our Gophers Murray Warmath was open to giving players a chance. The problem with some programs is they can't see a black player being thee face of the program. Sometimes it's the coach and some times it's higher up, or fans. Bear Bryant needed USC to be able to lobby for integrating his roster. It took much longer to filter through all levels.
Great recall - dare I say total?
Yup, that’s what I remember as well. Joe Gilliam had some starts in PIttsburgh, but Bradshaw took over and Gillian was his backup IIRC.
17 overall by Bucs, when they stunk, only there for two years, then to the USFL for a few seasons, before going to Washington.
Yes and was also SB XXII MVP for throwing 4 TDs in the second quarter as they beat the Broncos 42-10. Loved Gibbs and Washington in that era -won different ways with different stars and also messed with the Cowboys
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